MENDON—Betsy R. Brewer’s grandfather, Justin Southwick, sold his dairy herd in 1953 and focused on his collection of exotic waterfowl. People came here from all over to see them, and with the donations they left, he bought a bear and a fox. Soon he began trading birds for different types of animals, and in 1963 he opened a wild animal farm.

Today Brewer is an owner and director of Southwick’s Zoo, working with nine family members in the business that has about 150 seasonal employees.

“My passion is education and conservation,” she said. “I love what I do.”

In addition to more than 500 exotic animals (with more than 100 species of animals from throughout the world), Southwick’s Zoo has a petting zoo, daily live animal presentations at the Earth Discovery Center and a daily interactive show called Bird Talk.

An elk at Southwick's Zoo in MendonSubmitted photo

New England’s largest zoo has a variety of exhibits for visitors to get a close-up view of the animals in a naturalistic setting. They include African pygmy hedgehogs, Argentine black and white tegus, blue tongued skinks, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, deer, pygmy goats, chimpanzees, lemurs, dromedary camels, American alligators, zebras and ostriches.

Also visit a parakeet aviary and deer forest.

Brewer especially likes the rhinos and giraffes, and she has a special liking for the leopards. “They have a combination of instinct and intelligence,” she said.

The Southwick Zoo’s mission is to provide an extensive zoological collection and educational facility for visitors; employees strive to promote an exciting environment for a positive family experience.

Brewer’s grandfather died in 1970 when she was 11, but she remembers him as “kind of quiet and always with animals.”

She said he would be “totally blown away” by the zoo today. “I don’t think he ever envisioned it to become what it has. For him, this was a hobby and a passion.”

The Skyfari Sky Ride at the zoo offers visitors the opportunity to see the zoo from above.

The family-run zoo, which is located on about 175 acres, hosts various special events days like Military Families Day, Mad about Monkey’s Day, Honor Teachers Day, Earth Awareness Day and Zoobabies Day. The birthday pavilion can be rented for parties.

The zoo is accessible to the handicapped and has a variety of food concessions; visitors may also bring a picnic lunch.

“I’m lucky to be doing what I love to do and be part of this,” Brewer said.

IF YOU GO

What: Southwick's Zoo

Where: 2 Southwick St., Mendon

Admission: General Admission - adult $22; child (3-12) $17; senior (62 and older) $17; children 2 years and under free

Hours: Open for the season April 12, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. seven days a week

Merge onto MA-146 S/Worcester-Providence Turnpike, then take Exit 3 for Massachusetts 16 E. Turn left onto MA-16 E/Douglas Street then turn right onto MA-122 S/MA-16 E/N Main Street. Turn left onto MA-16 E/Mendon Street then make a slight right onto Henry Street. Take the third right onto Blackstone Street then take the second left onto Chapin Street. Continue onto Southwick Street; the zoo will be on the left.

For more information: By phone 1 (800) 258-9182; online www.southwickszoo.com